Help me dress my 2.5 year old for cold weather

[Anonymous]

My 2.5 year old started preschool this past fall and I’m worried I don’t have weather-appropriate clothes for him for when it gets colder out. I’m terrible at dressing for cold weather myself so not sure I have what he’ll need for the playground.

He usually wears joggers but has some fleece-lined sweats. Are those enough? Is there something he should be wearing under? He doesn’t like jeans or other restrictive materials.

Also has a lightweight down jacket and plenty of zip up hoodies, and some non-waterproof mittens and beanies. I think one is fleece lined.

Would love “instructions” on how to dress him as well as specific product recommendations (links please!).

[Anonymous]

Is this a school that takes the kids out in any weather?

I would find out their guidance

My kids preschool didn’t take kids out in rain more than a very light drizzle. So, they didn’t need rain boots or water proof stuff. Joggers and a light weight down jacket over a tshirt and sweatshirt, with non water proof gloves and a knit hat covered everything. I wished I could have afforded a school that played in rain and snow!

This is assuming dmv.

[Anonymous]

Leggings under the fleece pants and a closer-fitting shirt. They need one layer right against the skin. We get our 2.5yo boy 3t girls leggings because he’s so skinny.

[Anonymous]

If you’re going winter hiking, footie pajamas are also a good base layer.

[Anonymous]

Yes, DMV area!

I’ve never dressed him in leggings. Would that take care of the gap he often gets between the top of his socks and the bottom of his pants? His pants are long enough but somehow they manage to ride up and he gets a little gap unless I pull his pant legs back down.

[Anonymous]

Agree you should find out their policies. My kids played in the snow and needed snowpants and boots. On the very cold days they would only go out for like 15 mins.

[Anonymous]

Long underwear. Patagonia has nice ones for kids that age

[Anonymous]

you could also get longer socks that go almost to the knee, think european school socks - look on Zara, they have wool blend ones. As others said, one base layer against skin, one insulating layer, and a warm jacket + hats + gloves + snood on top. Or look for a balaclava type hat, that covers the neck. Keeping neck warm makes you warmer overall, imho. Here's a good thermal sock - https://www.zara.com/us/en/thermal-socks-ski-collection-p02496784.html?v1=298575412&v2=2295152

[Anonymous]

What would you recommend for snowy weather? Are snow bibs bad for potty training? DS is skinny so pant sizes are difficult.

[Anonymous]

for snowy or cold i do snow suits with straps that go over boots. i love Babyshop for euro brands on sale: https://www.babyshop.com/us/en/p/pm-51536-chamonix-snowsuit-navy-landscape-navy/

[Anonymous]

Don’t do leggings/long undies/fleece lined trousers for preschool unless they really spend all day every day outside and it’s really cold! 2.5yos are active and childcare facilities are usually well heated; the poor kid will bake! I usually do cotton joggers or fleece sweats (joggers if 40s+, sweats lower very roughly speaking) and LAYERS for the top: light cotton shirt (long or short sleeved is fine), sweater or warm vest, puffer coat with hood, hat/gloves if he’ll tolerate them. Always layers. If he doesn’t want to wear a jacket/hat/whatever and the weather’s borderline, bring it along so he can put it on if he gets cold.

Make sure he has waterproof/weatherproof shoes that are easy to play in; I like Keens personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, DMV area!

I’ve never dressed him in leggings. Would that take care of the gap he often gets between the top of his socks and the bottom of his pants? His pants are long enough but somehow they manage to ride up and he gets a little gap unless I pull his pant legs back down.

Long socks or trousers a size up to deal with the gap; if you get leggings the same size as the trousers he’s currently wearing you’ll just have the same issue with the leggings.

[Anonymous]

When my child was this age he was in a program where they spent 60% of the time outdoors, sometimes more.

The guidance school gave to all families: wool underlayer (thin wool shirt and thin wool leggins), a fleece mid- layer (pants and jacket) and a shell layer: outer jacket, breathable and water repellent (or a rainsliker for very wet days) and shell pants. wool socks (thin or medium, depending on footwear),

The reason for this advise as they explained is that wool stays warm even when it's wet (from rain or sweat), while cotton absorbs water and stays cold and wet longer. Wool also has thermoregulating properties, which cotton or polyester dont. Finally, with this type of layering, it's easy for teachers to take off layers if kids are too warm or put them back on. Nowadays weather is colder in the morning and warmer during mid-day, so it helps to have options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 2.5 year old started preschool this past fall and I’m worried I don’t have weather-appropriate clothes for him for when it gets colder out. I’m terrible at dressing for cold weather myself so not sure I have what he’ll need for the playground.

He usually wears joggers but has some fleece-lined sweats. Are those enough? Is there something he should be wearing under? He doesn’t like jeans or other restrictive materials.

Also has a lightweight down jacket and plenty of zip up hoodies, and some non-waterproof mittens and beanies. I think one is fleece lined.

Would love “instructions” on how to dress him as well as specific product recommendations (links please!).

what are the parameters for outside play OP?
weather/wind/time limitations or is it an outdoor based preschool

[Anonymous]

Is the daycare removing these layers while inside? Check on that to make sure your kid doesn't get too hot.

We did a warm coat, hat, and gloves. Longer socks pulled up to cover ankles and typically sweatpant weight pants. Fleece pants on the really cold days usually Jan and Feb